Welcome to Safer Gambling Week 2023! This cross-industry initiative is supported by all the major players in the gambling industry in the United Kingdom and Ireland including the likes of bet365, Betfair, LeoVegas, 10Bet, Slingo and many more besides.
The aim of Safer Gambling Week is threefold. Firstly it is to help customers ensure that they are gambling responsibly and safely when using a gambling site.
Secondly, it is about providing help, resources, support, and information for those who either may develop, or have developed a gambling problem to seek the help and support they need.
Lastly, there is also the issue of customers of black-market gambling sites and the issues and problems they are likely to face if they bet using these non-licensed, unregulated and often criminally-based enterprises outside of the law.
Why Is There A Need For Safer Gambling Week?
While it is true that the vast majority of people have a healthy attitude and approach to gambling across the UK and Ireland, there are a small percentage of people who could develop, or have developed, issues with gambling.
It is tempting to think that if you are someone who has a healthy attitude to gambling that this week isn’t for you. However, that would be incorrect.
This week is not just for people with gambling issues, or at risk of developing them, but for the average UK punter to assess their gambling habits. Take stock of how, why and where they gamble and assess if they are gambling safely.
With UK and Ireland regulations now actively encouraging gambling sites to prominently focus on responsible and safe gambling, Safer Gambling Week is a big part of that.
So the aim of Safer Gambling Week is not to focus on the small fraction of ‘problem’ gamblers, but instead to seek to educate, inform and allow customers to evaluate their own gambling behaviour.
Is there a way I can check to see if I am gambling safely and responsibly, or not?
Yes there is and the promotion of an understanding of this is a key aspect of Safer Gambling Week 2023.
The Safer Gambling Website offers the following advice to people to ensure they are gambling safely.
- Set Yourself Betting Limits.
This includes using on-site tools to only allow you to deposit a certain amount per day/week/month and also to set time limits on how long you spend on gambling sites.
- Understand that Gambling is not a way to make money
The fact of the matter is, the house always has an edge when it comes to any form of gambling. That means that the odds are always against you winning. Therefore, gambling is never a way to make money.
As such, you should never gamble with any funds other than freely disposable income. Never use money earmarked for vital payments such as rent or mortgage, bills, council tax etc, never chase any losses you incur and once you have spent your cash, stop betting.
You should ensure that you are always in control of your gambling, not let gambling control you. So set yourself times to take a break from gambling for a while. Especially if you feel yourself being drawn to the site more frequently.
By distancing yourself from your gambling habits you can get a more unbiased view of your betting behaviour and the time away from gambling will help you re-evaluate whether or not you are gambling safely.
Your Account History on sites like bet365 Sport is a great way to discover just how long you have been on the site and how much you have been spending.
- Family And Friends are more important than Gambling
Your gambling should never stop you from interacting with family and friends and nor should you be understating, hiding or lying to them about your gambling behaviour. In short, never prioritise gambling over time spent with friends and family.
What Behaviours do People not Gambling Safely Exhibit?
While not wholly exhaustive, the Safer Gambling Website does provide a list of behaviours that are commonly displayed by people who are exhibiting gambling issues.
They include:
- Gambling more money than you can comfortably afford.
- Inability to stop gambling when you have started
- Getting into arguments with loved ones about your gambling behaviours.
- Losing interest in other hobbies to focus more on gambling.
- Constantly thinking about your gambling.
- Chasing any losses that you have incurred when gambling.
- Gambling with the sole focus of trying to win money to alleviate financial problems.
- Lying about your gambling behaviour and hiding how much you spend to family or friends.
- Borrowing money, not paying bills or selling your possessions to fund your gambling.
- Finding that you have to wager higher and higher amounts to get the same thrill from gambling.
- Focusing on gambling instead of other key areas of your life.
- Feeling anxious, concerned, guilty, irritable or depressed about your gambling habits.
- Feeling that you cannot stop gambling and that it is controlling you.
- Gambling until all your available money has gone.
People may exhibit just one of the above factors, or several if they have problems with gambling, but the more issues listed above that they display, then the more likely it is they are not gambling safely.
What else will happen on Safer Gambling Week?
You can check out the Safer Gambling Week website and socials (listed below) for more information about the different initiatives being promoted this week by many gambling sites that have signed up to this cross-industry initiative.
Additionally, search X (formerly Twitter) using the tag #SGWeek2023 to discover many posts from individual companies like Slingo, Bet365 and many more to discover what they are doing to promote Safer Gambling across the week.
Addendum
A List of Organisations, Websites and more for people who may have gambling issues
Here’s an extensive list of some of the main phone numbers, websites and other resources you can use if you feel you have issues with gambling and need support.
- National Gambling Helpline – Freephone – 0808 8020 133 (England, Scotland & Wales)
- Northern Ireland National Helpline – 08000 886 725
- Republic of Ireland National Helpline – 1800 936 725
- Helplink National Gambling Addiction Service – 0818 99 88 80
GamCare Services for UK & Ireland
Safer Gambling Sites & Resources
NHS Gambling Services
The NHS has a section on the services it operates for gambling including treatment clinics, a gambling survey which indicates whether or not you are at risk of not gambling safely.
Other Resources & Services
Safer Gambling Week runs from the 13th to the 19th November inclusive and it is a fantastic resource for all gamblers to help ensure they enjoy their hobby safely, enjoyably and in full control of their gambling.
